New Measures to Protect Animals

Published on May 28, 2019

New amendments to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Act will ensure animals remain protected during the transition to an improved animal protection enforcement system in Mississauga-Lakeshore, and across the province.

MISSISSAUGA — Today, the government of Ontario committed to a new animal protection enforcement system that is more robust, transparent, and accountable. This is a temporary measure to minimize gaps in enforcement after the OSPCA gave less than one month’s notice they were withdrawing the animal protection services they had provided for over 100 years.

“We are filling in the gaps to ensure animals remain protected while we transition to a better animal protection model,” said Rudy Cuzzetto, MPP for Mississauga-Lakeshore. “In the interim, the legislation we introduced would enable willing partners to enforce animal welfare. Protection of animals is important to the people, and it’s important to our government. We have always maintained that the animal protection enforcement system can be made better.”

The legislation, if passed, would allow the province to appoint a Chief Inspector, who could in turn appoint qualified local inspectors, including local OSPCA affiliates, to ensure animal protection enforcement continues.

“Last week we empowered local OSPCA affiliates who indicated a willingness to assist in the transition to continue protecting animals during the interim period,” said Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General. “Unfortunately the OSPCA has attempted to block these helpful affiliates by contravening existing legislation. This is extremely disappointing. Frankly, it puts animals in harm’s way. That’s why our government is taking decisive action to ensure animals remain protected while we design a better system.”

While work is already under way to develop a better long-term system, Ontario is seeking public feedback through an online survey to ensure the people of Ontario have the opportunity to share their thoughts to help improve animal protection. This feedback will directly inform Ontario’s new model.

Quick Facts

The OSPCA has provided animal welfare protection services in Ontario for over 100 years. On March 4, 2019, they provided the province less than 30 days’ notice that they intended to discontinue those services as of March 31, 2019.

An agreement was reached between Ontario and the OSPCA to extend animal welfare law enforcement services until June 28, 2019. The OSPCA has refused to extend that agreement until January 2020, when a new system will be in place.

Earlier this month, the government filed a regulation to empower willing OSPCA affiliates to continue animal protection enforcement on a temporary basis. This step followed expressions of interest from numerous affiliates who had stepped forward to offer their assistance.

For reasons that remain unclear, the OSPCA indicated in a letter to the Solicitor General they would contravene S.6(1) of the OSPCA Act, which would block the interim measure to ensure animal protection laws continue to be enforced.